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Foxlake

Bute Cross, Rothesay.

Saturday 15.9.18

The first race of the season for me, the lone Two Wheel Army rider again. Clare and Gary have chucked racing for more better things in life. Eating cakes and munching Pizza I think.

Dust off the Cross bike on Friday night, the kit bag is sorted now, All I have to do on Saturday is just bundle my loyal support crew into the car (until they are old enough to stay themselves, they get dragged to the races haha) and drive to Wemyss Bay and board the ferry to Rothesay (Isle of Bute).

As I stand to wait to embark the boat, some familiar and ugly mugs who turn up at Scottish parks on damp cold weekends from September to February start to appear in the queue. It’s great to be back! The cars soon fill the ferry deck, now the two wheels are allowed on board and store our bikes on the great new bike racks that the crew pull out the cupboard.

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My boys head to the upper deck to go shark spotting on the short crossing to Bute. Surprisingly we don’t see any, but we did spot a mahoosive jellyfish (I thought it was a poly bag at first). Twenty minutes later we pull alongside the harbour. The Ferry soon empties of vehicles and bikes. A short wander past the Castle and up to the Leisure centre to sign on and get my first race number of the season. Sort my pins out and I take in a quick lap before the V60, V50, Woman and Junior get called up to the start line and it’s not long until they are let loose an start their race season.

That time has come! The nerves, excitement, fear all start to rumble about your head and the pit of your stomach as 4 pm approaches, It’s time to ride to the start line.

As I stepped up in age group (or down don’t know how it goes) I recognise a few faces but not as many as normal in the open race. I know one face, bloody Davie Lines. (though I would escape being lapped by him for a season, haha) Just as the faster riders are sorted and us not so special ones fall in behind, low and behold the wet stuff from the sky comes down to christen us and the first race of the season. Feeling sorry for our old bones the commissars will let us go in the next 30 seconds.

Brrrrrreeeep goes the whistle and season 18/19 is a go!

Foot clipped in and power-down on the pedal, my unfit body starts the sprint up to the commentary box and to the voice of Morven Brown rocking the mic and shouting us through the timing/finishing line. I am doing well just now, not the last rider and my bike still holding together, result!

Take the first corner on the inside and with a dab of the foot, I’m through along with the other 56 riders all still on the bikes. Another long sprint past the football game on our right we ride down to where we have just started. The long fast straight soon has us racers strung out as we cross the gravel and push round to the metal bridge.

A bottleneck soon appears here as we slow to ride over the slippy metal surface. The speed soon kicks back up as we ride out onto the field and take on the S bends. Struggle up the small incline with the red ash tennis courts on my left. Then come to my nemesis, the slow corners of a chicane (always think I am going to wash out and ride way to slow).

The run-up is next, I try to ride as much as possible but come to halt a third of the way up. Dismount/fall off and a peddle to the shin soon gets me moving again. (will be running it from now on). On top of the run-up is a great wooded trail along to the sharp hairpin bend and shoot down the slope trying not to get myself tangled in the fence at the bottom (as I nearly do a few laps in).

Now I am on the hard part of the course for me, soft grass! Need to ride this part mostly out of the saddle to keep my speed up, in doing so it’s killing my legs and lower back. Some gravel paths come next, I ride past the big tree covering my fan club as they hide from the rain, and now head up to the start line to complete lap one.

Things go quite consistent from here to the finish 6 laps later. I consistently go backwards in placings, consistently get slower going up the run/walk up, and the pain in my lower back consistently lets me know its needing oiled or something.

After a lot of determination to keep riding the bike with its bar tape peeling off along with the very low front brake hood angle. (that made my hand slide off going downhill towards that fence every lap) I happily managed to cross the line after 47 minutes of a 40-minute race in 47th place.

A few changes have been made since my last race here two years ago. I quite liked doing the neutralised ride up from the Castle, then the mad dash over the stone carpark as a start. The turns on the red ash tennis courts were removed, but I don’t mind not having slower turns to do. Another missing part was after struggling up the run-up we went down into the woods, a thin natural trail was great along with the fallen logs that had to be jumped. Don’t get me wrong the course still had its challenges and was a great addition to the series races.

After reflecting on my first race back, I now know, there will be some great battles at the back of the bunch this season with the HTCC crew (happy trail cross collective) as were all fat and slow now, not just them.

See you all at the next one, Callender Park 7.10.18

Thanks to the Organiser Stewart and his band of helpers from the Bike Shed. Rothesay’s Weekend Of Cycling has something for everyone, so next year get yourself over.

Thanks to Richard Croasdale for the capturing and letting me have use of images at the run-up.

Super Quaich, The Third Round.

Roukenglen Park, 18.2.18.

Albannach and the Unicorn tamer Jim Cameron are the hosts of the last Super Quaich party.

Roulenglen Park isn’t my best course, but I always look forward to it as my Mum and Dad come and join the ranks of the Two Wheel Army support crew. (also help with Victoria getting the kids out from the trees) This year’s race is a bit later on in the race calendar so no snow this year but there is still a nip in the air.

Clare is racing in the B race today, the crew and I turn up just as the race has begun. Kevin Pugh and Craig Lewis Hamilton are at the font of the race as they come through the trees and into the main support bowl. RGCX has an excellent location for spectating, 95% of the course is watchable from the sign on the tent. (this year the burger van is on hand to feed the faces of all the spectators)

Clare is slogging through lap after lap for the hour’s race. A head full of determination of not getting a DNF on her last Cyclocross race of the season. Her grit and fighting spirit gets her around the course and rolls over the finish line celebrating that she is the last rider home. Well, news for you CC, you didn’t come last, and you beat the course. That’s always the right way to end the race season.

My turn to race approaches, I say my goodbyes, and I am wished good luck as I ride down to the start shoot. I find myself late to the party, squeeze past the bunch and nestle in the right on top of a sand pit. Great, more sand! I thought I had seen enough at Irvine. Chat away to Owen Philipson, then four by four we get moved out the sand and up behind the 20 gridded riders. While chatting away we don’t hear the briefing, and before we know it, the front has burst apart, and the race is on. It takes a moment to hear the Hoot Hoot Hoot of the starting horns, but they are going off, now It’s my turn to race.

Sprint up the slog of the tarmac hill, suck in lungfuls of oxygen at the top. Navigate the muddy lines and other racers in this condensed area. Come through the trees and out to the open grass, take a quick left and ride along the treeline and then a right turn has you coming back on yourself. The bike soon dips down, taking in the fastest part of the course, a quick descent heading past the spectator bowl for the first time. Drive up the incline with the rear wheel slipping and sliding all the way and turn right and into the woods. A narrow path keeps us all close and fighting for space. Thanks to those pesky B racers they have churned up the grass and made it sticky and slippy slog. I slowly grind my way through the first section, and as I get into the next HTCC old guard Julian passes by, he forces me off track with a close pass, and I’m leaving patches of skin from my leg in the thick bramble bushes.

I like riding the last section of the woods, I always seem to ride this part quite fast, and I gain some place as we exit the woods and ride past the pits. My tyres roll over the timing line for the first time as we race down and around to the first run-up. It’s a short, sharp climb. My feet skid and slide as I run the mud/grassy incline. Dig my feet in a little deeper, and I get to the top of the hill, again taking a few places as I remount the bike and the TWA crew shout me on.

Run the next half of a hill as some riders go past still in the saddle, (why is it called a saddle when its attached to a seat post?) then ride along to the hurdles. Were still bunched up as we turn and dismount for the double magenta barriers. A lot of riders remount and ride along to the new downhill section. Me on the other hand, I keep running until I reach the brow of the hill, back on the bike and freewheel to the bottom of the hill. Some tremendous sweeping switchbacks line you up for the second longer grassy climb. I usually have to dismount and run this hill, but do you know what, I’m going to give it a bash and try to ride this sucker! And I do! I struggle to the top by some zig-zag riding and seeking out grip, also lots of sheer stubbornness helps at this point. The growing crowd also helps with tones of encouragement to all riders tackling the hill.

Back in the saddle (seat) and ride through the mud soup, that takes you into the trees once again. This links you back up with the tarmac start shoot, I have to walk/run the last of the bog as by peddling I don’t seem to be getting anywhere fast. Get to the tarmac and back to riding a bike race in a bike race. It’s being to string out and riding the top wood section I can pick a decent line with some free space ahead. I am gaining on a small group just a few seconds out in front. Deep down I know I won’t be able to hold on to the group as this course isn’t my fastest to get around.

Eventually lap after lap I run out of gas, I hear two laps to go as I come round to the timing van. (great commentary by @mikefixerpayne) Which probably means one and a half for me as I’m sure David Duggan will catch me again. I manage to ride the big hill a few more times but slowing every time I complete it. The last two times I manage 3/4 of the way up. I don’t have any lying down in the mud today, always a good race when that happens but I do regret wearing gloves and arm warmers.

Man got too hot! Halfway around I have stop and strip my arm warmers down to my wrists to cool down. Then at the spectator’s bowl, I pull up to remove my gloves and warmers altogether. I hate being too hot! It distracts me, I think about it too much instead of concentrating on racing. Also, I get a bit nauseous if I am too hot. I lose a tone of time to the riders in front of me by pissing about, but at least I feel some much-needed fresh air.

David does catch me again, just as we entered the woods behind the pits. I now know my race will soon be over as David is riding along to get the checkered flag and the win. I have someone in my sights, a Johnston Wheeler is slowing, this spurs my legs on and the speed is up as we come through the last section of woods. At the end of the woods and entry into the pit area, he slips and goes down. I dig in and pass him on the inside. Kept the power going, ride around the bend and into the last corner. A quick glance over my shoulder and I see I have some space on riders at my back, let the bike glide over the line in 64th spot and to complete RGCX and my Cyclocross season.

Huge thanks to all the Unicorn helpers and event organisers, RGCX is always special.

Thanks again to Michael Martin again some incredible pictures and also to Graeme Cross for some classic black and white images.

4th Quarter of Quaich.

19.2.17 Dig In At The Dock, Bo’ness Harbour.

The conclusion of Cross ends at Bo’ness Harbour. Super Quaich is being held by none other than David Hamill and Pete Ward with help from Peddle Power. Dig In was one of the main reasons I got into Cyclocross, watching the Youtube videos of John and Davy drive about the country racing through mud and shit weather. (like a Scottish version of Max & Paddy’s Road trips with bikes involved) I thought, that looks good, I’m giving that a bash.

Last year I didn’t have the best time at the Docks, so with this being the last ever Dig In I have unfinished business with this course and was glad to get one of the golden tickets.

Head through today team handed, my three boys and my pit chief Victoria want to come through and lend their support. Sign on and collect my number, timing chip and also receive a great wee goody bag. The boys see some free tasting at the Cliff bar stand and head over. I just have to keep them away from the caffeine blocks as hyper kids are murder at times. They get a free oat bar off the vendor and happily wander back over to the car munching away on that.

Get my number pinned on and bikes off the car. Drop off the pit bike, time to get a warm up lap of the course done with Kevin Pugh, Ayr Burners. We role up with the assembling riders at the start area, we settle in around the middle of the bunch and this is still with fifteen minutes to go. Get the last gulp of water, and the boys tell me to “ride fast and don’t fall off”.

Outer layers are stripped off, jackets are being dispersed to the crowd, now we are ready for the starter to let us go. He seems not to be as ready as us, the gun doesn’t want to pop, so the backup plan is used, we are off and racing on the blow of his whistle.

We race straight into a headwind, a battle that will be with every rider today! The good thing about today’s course is that it’s pretty broad, so loads of room to pick my way past people as we ride along the path heading for the first corners. The middle of the race is still quite packed together as we come to the first set of barriers. Off the bike, hop run jump and remount the bike taking some positions as I go. A quick ride and you are soon eyeing up the second set of barriers. Go over these without a hitch and now its ride past the Mylaps timing van and here the voice of Scottish Cyclocross “Jammy” calling out the lead riders names. Now it’s on to the cobbles.

This is the point of the race last year that I went and surfed the fence, ripping my shoulder open, and my bike nearly ended up in the skip. It was also the topic of conversation with a few people before the race, don’t think I will be let off from crashing out on the first lap. Get to the other side without incident and try to pick up my pace working my way up the field. Same plan today as previous races, go out steady and keep an even pace for as long as I can.

We race out to the furthest point of the course, along some grass and stone covered paths looping back around in the direction of the harbour. An excellent series of off cambers and some punchy little ramps gets you out of the saddle. Ride over the bridge and on to “Unicorner”. Roll down the ramp and line the bike up on the outside of the corner. There are a few steps taking you up to the tarmac above, but if you stayed right and took the outside line, there was the chance to ride up. I took the chance and failed! Managed all but one step, awkwardly push/ride over the lip and onto the tarmac. Now to recover my lost place to the rider who ran the steps. Down and along the Harbour wall we then 180 degrees turn, putting you eyeball to eyeball with the chasing riders as you head back up and turn into the headwind.

Trying all the tricks to stay out of the strong headwind coming off the Firth of Forth as it flows out to the North Sea. Sitting in behind riders, riding beside riders, then trying to make myself as small as possible by riding on the drops. All seem to fail, so now it is time to get the head down and grind it out in the wind. Turn out of the wind and ride around to the sets of barriers and over the line. I get cheered on by my fan club and discard my glasses while I have someone to pick them up. The crowd is massive along the start straight, and horns are blasting giving this race an epic atmosphere. Back over the cobbles and try to catch the rider in front.

I seem to be racing well today, think with three laps to go I am around 24th. Just as I come over the bridge into the noise of Unicorner, I drop down the ramp and feel my back tyre puncture. Shite! Run the steps and get to the top, feel the tyre and yip its race over for that wheel. Lucky for me the pits are only a short run from here. Get to my pit bike and change my Garmin over and its back in the race. I lose a few positions while I run to the pits and mess about with the Garmin, need to upgrade to a watch for next season.

As I head into the last few laps I just have to protect my position and try and reel in the riders in front of me. By this point in the race I am not sure who I am catching and who I might be lapping. Brian McCutcheon, Walkers CC overtakes me, so I keep my eyes locked on him and try and pull him back. Into the last lap and Brian is just edging too far ahead of me to catch, now my concern is on who is chasing me. Darren Lindsay, Haddington CC is on my tail, I have a decent gap after the long headwind section, now I just need to relax and not mess anything up as I come to the last third of the course.

Easier said than done! I come to the first set of barriers. I dismount the bike, hop the first barrier, I don’t lift the bike high enough the rear wheel clatters the barrier, and the bike drops out my hands. I stumble all over the place and somehow stay on my feet as I jump the second barrier minus a bike. Back over the barrier and retrieve the bike, get over the barrier again, finding the handle bars are squint. A quick straighten then I am back on the bike and sprinting to the next set of barriers. Hit the barriers and now determined to lift the bloody bike higher this time, over them with the bike and around to the finish line still in front of Darren (even though mylaps doesn’t agree) in 36th place.

Dig In At The Dock, I won this time.

What a race, It’s pretty much pan flat, no mud, no sand traps and no zigzags. How is it a great race then? I don’t know, it just has some magic about it. A well thought out course that gives novice riders and expert riders just as much joy to race on. I know a lot of riders are going to miss this race not being on next year.

A quick change into the Sombrero and Poncho I join the Happy Trails Cross Collective and Mr Trumpit to cheer on the star-studded and full gas A race.

3rd Quarter of Quaich.

5.2.17 Thistly Cross, Dunbar.

Set off early and drive from the West coast over to the East coast. To keep myself entertained, I try to match the bike to the rider as I pass cars with bikes on the roof and bike racks heading the same direction as me. Directions are well laid out and I am guided to my parking bay by the yellow jackets. Time to get the blood back to my lower limbs and go and sign on.

Riding the pit bike down I notice that the access road is very rocky, potentially a puncture before I even get to the start line. Dispose of the bike and now it’s time for my warm up, a jog back to the car in my heavy hiking boots. A quick bite to eat while I’m changing and I’m ready for Thistly Cross.

Gather with the rest of the riders and wait to be set loose around the lake. I didn’t manage a warm up lap so shall be riding this one carefully on the first lap. Can’t believe I have a race plan. My last race went well by riding on more of an even pace, rather than having two hot laps then dying on my arse and hanging on for the last 30 minutes. Clipped in and sitting around mid-pack for the start. The whistle is blasted, and we are under way!

A little drag up hill spreads us out a bit, rise to the top and then we shoot down and behind the café and pits. Off the stone path and onto soft grass along the side of the lake. Once at the end of Lake it’s time to navigate the wide mushy zigzags then it’s into the lower woods where the going goes up. Ride the incline well, taking over a few riders as I go. Once at the top, we get into a bottleneck as there is a tight turn to the left over a log. Jump off the bike and squeeze through the pack, point the bike downhill and back in the saddle. Still in the woods, we ride a great narrow single track path that takes you out onto another quick climb past the sign on Barn.

Climb complete, we are into the woods and more single track. I am following wheels at this point, still not sure what’s coming next on the course. A brace of hurdles/barriers come next. Off the bike run, hop, run, hop and back on the bike. I don’t have the confidence to bunny hop the barriers so I just stick to running every lap. A great flowing section around the trees kicks you back up and over the access road, aim your wheel downhill and gather speed before a left turn and more squiggles at the edge of the tree line that tee’s you up for a steep banking and out into the main arena. I dismount and run the wee bugger as I don’t want to look a fool in front of the cameras when I deck it if I tried to ride it.

Remount, still following wheels as we come around to where it all began. This time we take a turn at the top of the small stone slope. Off the bike, jump the barrier and we are running diagonally uphill and onto the switchbacks. Ride all but one, the first one is just a bit steep for me and my gearing so running is the more efficient way to go. Back in the saddle and few more bends takes me over the line and past Mylaps timing van and onto lap two.

Now I have had one lap under my belt, feeling more relaxed I start to move up and take places on all the features of the course. Hills are my strong point today, as most people stick it in their granny gear when the course goes up. Only having one gear with 18 teeth, I have to get the power down and keep the pace high, giving me more momentum to catch riders in front. I’m enjoying this race, so much so next time I ride past the timing van I see two laps to go (where did the time go). Squeeze a gel to death trying to get some taste back in my mouth. Head down, pedal hard and time to catch some riders. Have another good lap and gain places, I ride over the line and take the lap bell.

By the time I hit the hurdles for the last time I have just caught Katie Carmichael and Tony Jones. I take the lead as we descend into the woods. I try and push the pace weaving through the trees back up to the gravel path. Down the fast slope to the bomb hole and steep banking. I jump off the bike, I can hear someone very close behind me. Quickly back on the bike, I’ve got to try and make a gap on the small hill up to the barrier. Hop the barrier and run the hill, back on the bike, down the grassy slope, taking a quick turn. (At this point the pressure of a chasing rider takes its toll). I make a mess of the dismount and end up on the wrong side of the bike. Running while juggling the bike trying to correct my position isn’t the best combination and I nearly fall.

I peek around and Tony is still on my tail. Get to the right side of the bike for my remount, we are neck and neck. I take a bad line and now riding the soft grass/mud. Tony is powering through on a better line. I have to jump off and run as I am grinding to a halt. He gets to the corner ahead of me and powers on and over the line. I remount and ride in just behind him. That’s two races in a row I have had a battle to the line! This time it was for 20th which I lost, rolling over the line to take 21st from 114 riders. Super Quaich you have done it again. A and B race layout has given so much competition right through the field and I am sure the racers are all enjoying it.

Huge thanks to Eric Easton, Colin Sergeant and the band of course builders from Haddington CC for putting on the race at Foxlake. This course was amazing, I think it has become my favourite course on the calendar.

Last Quarter of Quaich is at Dig In At The Dock, Bo’ness. The B race is going to be the toughest one yet with a few A riders dropping down, as the A race is being packed with stars from the CX world. The A race will be a spectacle to watch. The flying Gary McDonald taking on international cyclocross racers like Helen Wyman, Amira Mellor, Jeremy Durrin and Thomas Mein and will be interesting to see if the young pups Sean Flynn, Harry Johnston and Cameron Mason will catch the G machine.

Last race of the 2016/17 calendar should be a cracker so get along and ring a cowbell or two.